THE GOVERNANCE TRAIL

In collaboration with the NGA

In Collaboration with the NGA

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the National Governance Association and we are proud to support their important work through our partnership at the London show, with their report The Case for Governance helping to inform and strengthen our approach to content in this area.

The NGA MAT Conference will be a central feature of the Schools & Academies Show London 2026, developed in close collaboration with the National Governance Association (NGA). Together, we have shaped a programme that reflects the latest debates, challenges and priorities facing trusts and governance today.

Alongside this, the show will offer a dedicated governance focus for trustees and governors, including a curated Governance Trail. This series of talks and discussions embeds governance perspectives across key topics such as SEND, inclusion and digital transformation—ensuring governance is represented throughout the wider agenda.

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The NGA MAT Conference Agenda:

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The Governance Trail 2026

Please find the sessions featured in the Governance Trail below. To download presentation slides, click here >  

    • How will the white paper influence different stakeholders within the education sector.  

    • What changes can we expect to see from the white paper “setting early expectations on behaviour”  

    • Does the white paper do enough to support the most vulnerable pupils?  

    Speakers:

    • Angi Gibson, President, NAHT, Headteacher, Hadrian Park Primary School

    • Becks Boomer Clark,Chief Executive Officer, Lift Schools

    • Tom Rees,Chief Executive Officer, Ormiston Academy Trust

    • Emma Balchin, Chief Executive, National Governance Association

    • Chair: Jon Severs, Editor, Tes

    • What are the effective elements of inclusive practice we are already seeing within the sector and teacher training?  

    • How will the aims and intentions of the White Paper shape provision going forward?  

    • Leveraging multi-disciplinary teams, broader stakeholders and staff development to ensure practice and provision are to the highest possible standard.   

    Speakers:

    • Syra Sowe, Principal (Interim) , Swiss Cottage School

    • Claire Dorer OBE, Chief Executive Officer, The National Association of Special Schools 

    • Adam Kohlbeck, Director of Teacher Quality, Chiltern Learning Trust

    • Sam Henson, Deputy Chief Executive, National Governance Association

    • How do you make changes when old systems have been embedded in your setting for so long?

    • Understanding the workload involved with leading a significant overhaul of your tech systems. 

    • How can you feel confident about digital transformation when there is so much noise and changes in the EdTech Space and how do you feel comfortable with changes to avoid change fatigue.?

    • How do you help your teams grow and change alongside any digital transformations you may make and minimise any resistance to change? 

    Speakers:

    • Dawn Taylor, Assistant Head Teacher, Kingsdale Foundation School and Managing Director, Challenge Innovate 

    • Sonal Desai

    • Rob Peters, Director of Marketing and Communications, National Governance Association

  • • Clarifying understanding of what generative AI can and cannot do for SEND learners

    • A developing a framework for evaluating whether AI use is supporting learning or simply completing tasks

    • Practical, ethical considerations for using AI to reduce barriers without diminishing learning

    Speakers:

    • Dawn Taylor, Assistant Head Teacher, Kingsdale Foundation School

    • Rob Peters, Director of Marketing and Communications, National Governance Association